Politics: if you can't say amen, say ouch

Well, tell 'em how you really feel Sam! That first sentence wont make a bit of sense if you have not seen episode 6 of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. That was actually my response to the new Captain America giving some political officials a piece of his mind. To some it was awesome but to others it was percieved as heavy handed. Lets be honest people do not like politics and preaching in their comic books. I have seen my share of fanboys lose their mind over it. When I came back into the hobby space, I kept hearing letters like SJWs. I was like "what, Public Enemy got some more soldiers for their shows?" Apparently, it got so bad that content creators make money just talking about it. Yep nothing says capitalism like a bunch of nerds going off on any and everybody over comic book content. But hey, "if you are pissed like me, buy my shirt, buy my comicbook". If I didn't know any better, I would think they were running a scam. Sure people want to enjoy comics. It's entertainment, right? Sure. But how do you reconcile the Justice League? Superman? Freedom, Justice and the American Way? Smells like Imperialism to me. But that's just me. What about the Justice Society of America? Call me paranoid but that sounds like a right wing militia organization to me complete with brown shirts. I know. I know. Its comics. I just find all of the hoopla intellectually dishonest. Can I keep One hunnid? People dont mind politics, just as long as it "their" politics and no one elses. Shoot, Captain America and Superman were propaganda tools. But hey, we not talking about them. I have seen my share of bammas on YouTube fighting along side with their mayo allies in the fight to keep politics out of comics. Politics isnt the problem, the problem is the world is changing and western ideas of comic book characters and their "spin" is dying out. You want to me to spell it out? White folks who been collecting and reading about their favorite characters are seeing those characters either reimagined or basically suffer due to bad writing. Which in truth is the real problem with comics today. I guess bad writing and politics makes for bad concoction. Either way, don't let these elitists, canon heads, purists fool you. Politics have always been in comics. One of the first big subjects in comics was war and war particularly with Nazis. So miss me with that nonsense about politics. Now perhaps you want to read a cool story about a superhero stopping a crime. Why is there a criminal? Is it because the guy just wants to be bad or is he a product of his enviroment and cannot find a job? Everything is political. Read a story about two warring factions ie, Kree and Skrull. Yeah, you get me. Galactus wants to eat a planet. Oh thats not political. Yeah, sounds like colonialism to me, just in a rapid pace. Wakanda wont share Vibranium. Very political.

I was listening to a podcast today and a host on the show talked briefly about his review on the comic book Home. Home is a Image comics title about migrants From Guatemala migrating to the United States. There is a little one named Juan Gomez who has been detained. It is in this state he discovers that he has powers. Now given what has happened to those who come to the border, particularly with children. It is no secret what some of the issues is in this book. Apparently, the host was reviewing the book and basically flung it in protest or disgust for the book. He cited as much as the idea that the politics was just too much for him. He just wanted to read and enjoy a comic book. How dare the writers of the comic book talk about is a hot button issue. How dare they put the news from the front page onto the pages a comic book. Clearly some of the wording in the book triggered the poor sap. I thought it was an entertaining read. Besides, people should be able to tell their story no matter how you feel about it. You don't have to read it, review it or buy it. Perhaps its not for you. Or. Or just maybe it is. If you can't amen, say ouch. - Richard J Wright

Ebon: Why I do not have One?

I do not have an Ebon. That is a sentence that I do not like to read or say. Why? Simply because I do not have one. Would life be better if I had one? I cannot confirm nor deny that thought. It does not define me, but It does say. "I do not have an Ebon". You see when I came back into the hobby of collecting comic books, I did not know of such a book called Ebon. I did not discover this until I went on a search for my tribe. A tribe that consists Black comic book collectors and enthusiats. These brothers would educate me on a number of things regarding collecting Black comic books and learning about Black characters in comic books. Ebon stood out as book due to its significance. It is the first Black independent comic book hero. This book was published in 1970 by Spearhead Comics and was the creation of a gentleman by the name of Larry Fuller. It is interesting to talk with those who own copies of Ebon. Generally, the mention of the book brings smiles to the faces of those who have been blessed to procure such a piece of Black Comic Book history. The notable thing about Ebon is the rarity of the book. From what I understand, there were only 100 books that were printed. That alone makes it special but with Ebon being also the first Black independent comic book hero; It is icing on the cake. Many collectors seek to own this iconic book, I among them. Yet, it eludes many of us. The price for such book is substantial, therefore, making it not just cool comic book but in essence a prize. Just how special is this book, you may ask. I can only tell you as one who admires from afar, that it is history. The most powerful weapon of white supremacy has not been money or military might, it has been ink and paper.

The images of Black People have been troubling in the hands of white artists. It is idealists like Larry Fuller and others who help changed narrative. Ebon gave us Afro futurism before it had an official name. He showed we could be heroic. Why? Like many young Black men, who was looking for himself in comics. His inspiration took shape in Ebon. I hope at the end of day that Mr Larry Fuller knows that his offering to the collective has been a blessing. Even for some one who does not have an Ebon. -Richard J Wright